ITV has commissioned a major new eight-part drama series, The Halcyon – which tells the story of a bustling and glamorous five star London hotel during the war.

Set in 1940, The Halcyon reveals how war permeates everyone’s lives from the glamorous guests to its loyal, hard-working staff watched from within by American journalist Joe O’Hara.

Produced by Left Bank Pictures (Wallander, DCI Banks), and created and written by Charlotte Jones (Trust Me).

ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November, said: “A hotel is the perfect place to show ambition in telling the story of World War II. It was an extraordinary time in our country’s history, and London was a transforming city. The Halcyon takes us right to the heart of this as the hotel is busy, energetic, and vibrant which reflects how people carried on with their lives with defiance in the air,” added Steve.

Left Bank Chief Executive Andy Harries said: “1940 is one of the most dramatic years in our islands history. Who could have imagined that London would survive the blitz and Luftwaffe’s attempted destruction of the city? What was it like to be in a 5 star hotel in the West End through this extraordinary period?

It’s such a compelling idea for a drama. The world of the Halcyon hotel has to carry on, through thick and thin and against all odds. The bedrooms have to be made safe, the bars have to stay open, and the band has to play on. People have to sleep, eat and survive.

Our opening line says it all: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’.”

The Halcyon will begin filming in London and surrounding areas from April 2016.

ITV has confirmed the cast for new eight-part, ITV drama series, The Halcyon as filming commences.Leading the cast is, Steven Mackintosh (Luther, Inside Men) and Olivia Williams (Anna Karenina, The Sixth Sense), in the story created by Charlotte Jones (Trust Me) and the lead series writer Jack Lothian (Doc Martin, Harry Price: Ghosthunter), of a bustling and glamorous five star hotel at the centre of London society during the second world war.The all-star cast also features, Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge, Sound Of Music Live), Alex Jennings (The Lady In The Van, The Queen), Matt Ryan (Arrow), Hermione Corfield (Pride and Prejudice And Zombies) and Mark Benton (Waterloo Road).The 1940’s London-set drama will also feature a soundtrack of the music of the era, with two songs written by multi award-winning singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum, and a special guest performance by singer Beverley Knight where she will perform at the Café De Paris.The Halcyon reveals how war permeates everyone’s lives from the glamorous guests to its loyal, hard-working staff watched from within by American journalist Joe O’Hara (Matt Ryan).Further cast includes: Sope Dirisu (Undercover), Liz White (Pride), Charity Wakefield (Wolf Hall), Annabelle Apsion (Call The Midwife), Jamie Blackley (If I Stay), Ed Bluemel (Holby City), Nick Brimble (Grantchester), Michael Carter (Casualty), Akshay Kumar (Homeland), Imogen Waterhouse (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), Nico Rogner (Looking For Simon), Kevin Eldon (Danger Mouse) and Lauren Coe (Camelot).The Halcyon is produced by Left Bank Pictures and will be filmed in London and surrounding areas.